Continuing my series of year-by-year music history chronicle, Stop Rewind Fast Forward: 1993 picks up right where the previous edition left off. As always, I’m aiming more toward personal essays and subjective opinions, rather than some dry academic tome. However, these books are heavily researched and fact based. I have this vision for trying to cram as much information into as compact a space as possible, which means quotes are generally somewhat limited, unless highly entertaining or relevant.
The format – because you have to choose some sort of filter, otherwise this onslaught of information becomes impossible to wade through – is that I’m taking any concerts attended during the year in question, reviewing those, but then also including what I can about the artist up to that point, as well as how they do (or don’t) relate to the music climate as a whole during this specific year.
Anyway, I think these make for some breakneck rides, with a ton of really interesting detail imparted and not too much filler. Here’s the official blurb distilling at least some of what this book is about:
Neil Young, also known as The Godfather Of Grunge, acquires this title by releasing…a mellow, mostly acoustic album name-checking his most famous, middle of the road singer-songwriter effort from two decades earlier. Meanwhile, before almost anyone ever heard the term “grunge,” a groundbreaking road festival with a strange name launched the alternative music revolution. Until about six months later, when everyone suddenly agreed that it didn’t, and handed off credit for this to Nirvana instead.
These and many other incongruities of the early 1990s music scene are examined at great length. With additional in depth explorations of Smashing Pumpkins, Primus, and some pioneering Lollapalooza lineups, author Jason McGathey continues his “Stop Rewind Fast Forward” series documenting yet another pivotal year in the history of popular music as we know it – and also as we only think we know it.
If this sounds like your cup of independently brewed, Pacific Northwest java, then by all means pick up a copy! I’m currently sitting on 4.4 star rating on Amazon, which seems fair enough. SRFF ’93 is available there, here, and virtually anywhere else you can think of. So here are some handy links if you are so inclined:
this site (better price for exact same copy)
You still may find yourself on the fence, however, as you contemplate hopping over it and gate crashing this concert. Completely understandable. In that case I’ve included a few sample chapters here, downloadable as a PDF, so you can get a feel for this material before proceeding farther:
- ASIN : B0G8HH5LJG
- Category: music history and criticism
- Publisher : Exquisite Noise Publishing
- Publication date : January 1, 2026
- Language : English
- Print length : 392 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8261860501
- Item Weight : 1.46 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.98 x 9 inches
I’ve written at great length about the original Lollapalooza tour, one that includes Jane’s Addiction, Ice-T, Henry Rollins, Nine Inch Nails, Living Colour, Siouxsie and the Banshees, among others. All pointing toward and comparing it to the 1993 Lollapalooza edition, which features the likes of Alice In Chains, Primus, Tool, Rage Against The Machine, and Dinosaur Jr. Aside from those acts, Smashing Pumpkins are also reviewed in depth, concerning their career up to this point, as is a Neil Young show with Booker T. and the MGs as his backing band. Additional diversions tackle Nirvana, Billy Idol’s notorious flop Cyberpunk, some one hit wonders of this year and so on.
Realistically somewhere in between the two. Hardcore fans for any of these acts might not learn a ton they don’t already know (then again, I feel like I have unearthed some unusual sources, so who knows.) Someone just wishing to dip their toes into a light, breezy overview of this era might consider it a little too in-depth, however. I picture the ideal reader as being someone who’s curious about most or all of these artists, doesn’t know a ton about it already, and would likely consider this a fascinating overview of all these bands’ histories, how it all relates, and just so much truly interesting music was being created during this insanely fertile and pivotal era. Although if being honest I think any fans of early 1990s music should think of this as a great addition to their bookshelves.
About me:
I have published 11 books and counting. Currently writing book #12. I know what the next three will be beyond that but those are only in their infancy or less. Still others sit around in various half-abandoned or in some cases completed states.
In addition to those, and this all-purpose website, I also tinker around with a couple others. Love Letter To Columbus is my sprawling, interactive history of Ohio’s greatest city – I like to think of it as a historical yet literary choose-your-own-adventure. And then A Known History concerns my family related chronicles. Although I conceived as this as a place where us relatives could reminisce and rehash old memories, it turns out that total strangers have proven way more interested (I seriously only know of 2 family members who will admit to having checked out the site even once.) Which I never would have guessed. But more importantly, it’s helping me get my thoughts and artifacts organized on that topic.
And then if you would like to stay in the loop, I also have a newsletter! These are only sent out in semi-infrequent fashion, so you don’t have to worry about me bombarding your inbox or anything. To be honest there’s too much chaos around this place for that to ever be an issue. By signing up to receive it, though, you will receive a free book download.